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Rains Allow Mosquitoes To Breed Twice

Above average rainfall in southeast Iowa has allowed mosquitoes to increase their population, but not just because of standing water. Iowa State University Mosquito Surveillance Director Brendan Dunphy says Washington County and most of Iowa currently has a large population of Aedes, or “flood water” mosquitoes that lay eggs before it rains and cause painful stings on large mammals, such as humans. Dunphy says while Culex mosquitoes that breed in standing water and prefer to breed on birds are usually more abundant during summer, Culex mosquitoes, while less likely to sting humans, can transmit viruses.